CHAPTER 3. FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING
Overstretched students often
rely on the time-saving
strategy of cramming for
exams, but the science says this
study technique is highly flawed.
Many experiments have shown that
‘spacing’, which involves spreading
study sessions apart, leads to far
superior results when it comes to
long-term retention. In fact, one
2009 study found that spaced
learning was more effective than
cramming for 90% of participants.
Memories fluctuate according
to changes in the strength
of connections – synapses –
between neurons. These can
be made stronger or weaker
depending on when and how often
they are activated, meaning that
a memory can be reinforced or
forgotten. The more these synapses
are activated, the more likely the
information will be retained, which
explains why revision of previously
Is cramming
worth it?
studied material is preferable to
learning it for the first time en
masse before an exam.
Last-minute cramming usually
goes hand-in-hand with stress
and a lack of sleep, both of which
can hinder learning retention.
Sleep is thought to be involved
in creating long-term memories
by consolidation; deprivation
leads to decreased activity in the
hippocampus and poorer recall of
‘declarative’ memories, which are
about facts and events. In a study
of high-school students, UCLA
researchers found that sacrificing
sleep for extra study time was
counterproductive and resulted in
increased academic problems the
following day.
HOW DEVICES AFFECT SLEEP
A large body of evidence now shows that the blue
light emitted by smartphones, tablets and computers
suppresses melatonin production, meaning that using
these devices at night can interfere with the body’s
natural sleep cycles. Sleep is known to be important
for learning – it’s crucial for consolidating long-
term memories. Missing out on sleep can also impair
attention and short-term memory.
The teenage brain is particularly sensitive to
the effects of blue light. That’s why experts now
recommend that teenagers should avoid late-night
use of devices that emit blue light if they want to get
enough sleep.
THE UPSIDE OF STRESS
AND CONFUSION
YOU’RE MORE LIKELY to remember something
you’ve learned if you have an emotional attachment
to it. This happens because the amygdala boosts
memory by enhancing attention and perception. It
can also help memory retention by triggering the
release of stress hormones. QBI researchers have
discovered that bad experiences automatically
enhance memory formation about places and
may serve as a cue to avoiding potential threats.
Conversely, too much stress can overwhelm, cause
anxiety and impair memory – but research has found
that the right amount can optimise alertness and
cognitive performance.
Surprisingly, even confusion can be beneficial to
learning. Research has shown that being confused
about new ideas or a situation can spur us to work
harder to understand, leading to a deeper grasp and
better retention of what we have learned.